Afghanistan: Ghazni – Ghazni Minarets

The main attraction in Ghazni without a doubt are two absolutely spectral old minarets, intricately carved out and decorated. Both minarets were built in the mid-12th century during the Ghaznavid Empire and named after rulers Mas’ud III and Bahram Shah. The minarets are actually (and shockingly) the last remnants of Bahram Shah’s mosque, that, given the 600m distance between the minarets, was absolutely huge. Originally over 44m tall, both minarets were reduced to about 20m now after the 1902 earthquake. The minarets are made out of mud bricks and feature elaborate terracotta with geometric patterns and Kufic script inscriptions. In the 12th century, they symbolized the empire’s power and served as landmarks for Silk Road travelers. In 2013, Ghazni was named a capital of Islamic civilization, highlighting their cultural significance. For the monuments of this caliber and importance – you will have them all to yourself. There is also a destroyed Soviet tank just feet away from the first minaret.